Versatility, Camaraderie Define Kent State’s Tight End Room
8/25/2026 6:11:00 PM | Football
KENT, Ohio — With preseason winding down and game week on the horizon, first-year tight ends coach Dave Bucar said the room he inherited has exceeded his expectations, built around a group he describes simply as workers.
"Very fortunate to have a really good group of guys," Bucar said. "I got hired here at the beginning of May and jumped on board with these guys, and they're workers, man. They work, they grind, they do anything you ask of them. Very happy with this group, very proud of them. Have some moving parts, as a tight end, you've got to do it all. You've got to be able to block people, number one, protect, and then obviously be effective in the passing game, running routes, and catching the football. I'm excited about these guys, and they're excited to get game week here and get this season rolling."
Kent State returns significant experience at the position, headlined by Terik Mulder, a Preseason John Mackey Award Watch List honoree, and Hunter Hopperton, both of whom saw extensive action a season ago.
"Terik is a very athletic guy; he could do a little bit of everything. We're really counting on him to be multiple and versatile for us," Bucar said. "Hunter Hopperton can do it all too. He knows the offense like the back of his hand. He's the one who taught me the offense when I came in here. He could do it all, he's physical, he's tough."
Bucar also pointed to Zy'aire Fletcher as a developing piece who's expected to carve out a role in a variety of alignments this season.
"Fletch, Zy'aire Fletcher, same deal, man, he's a young guy that continues to develop, continues to come along," Bucar said. "He's going to have a role this year, whether it's as an F, being in line, or being flexed out. We're counting on him to be able to do a lot. He's a smart guy, he knows the offense."
Rounding out the room, Bucar highlighted a mix of local products and developing pieces, including Dakota Taylor, Holtz Maine, Tommy Arnold, and Andrew Rickelman.
"Dakota Taylor's a local guy, very athletic, has a lot of ability," Bucar said. "Holtz Maine is a young kid from the Columbus area, love Holtz. He's come a long way since spring practice here; he's really developed, he's gotten a lot better mentally and physically. Tommy Arnold, a local guy here from Wadsworth, is doing a really good job for us. He's more of an H-back, fullback type of guy, but he's tough, he's physical. And Andrew Rickelman, also a local guy, he's learning, but his future is bright."
For Bucar, the most rewarding part of leading the room has been the group's shared passion for the game.
"The camaraderie of the room, these guys are ball guys, they love ball," Bucar said. "They ask really good questions, our meetings are really good, football conversation is really good, practice is really good, working with these guys. It's fun to come to work every day to be around these guys because they love ball and they love doing what they're doing. We have to continue to get better, certainly no doubt about that, but they'll get better because of that. They're going to eat up the game planning and execute."
The Golden Flashes open the 2026 season on the road at South Carolina, on September 5, at 12:45 p.m. Eastern. Season tickets for the 2026 season are available now at KSUtix.com.
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